LEGISLATIVE ISSUES — CAN A LAME DUCK FLY?

Losing anonymity can open the door for strong-arm tactics and other heavy-handed influencing tactics by would-be union organizers.

“Card check elections take away anonymity, and a lot of anecdotal evidence shows that it leads to coercion and intimidation,” Lyons adds. “Given that union membership continues to dwindle, they’re looking to gain their market share and the Miller-Kennedy card checks are one way to do it. With the changes of control in Congress, both (George) Miller (D-CA) and (Ted) Kennedy (D-MA) have gained chairmanships over the committees of jurisdiction on this issue.”